Electric water heater



A. HSHER.' ELECTRIC WATER HEATER. APPLICATION msn muil-15291922.

Patented sept; 5, 1922.

L nf. VIII lamderel? ALEXANDER FISHER, F

PATENT err-ice.

NEW YORK, Nj Y., ASSIGOR T0 FISHER, PATENTS CO. INC.,

A CORPORATION NEW YORK.

nmic'rnro WATER HEATER ,Y

Application led March 22, 19.22. Serial No. 545,713.

To all whom t may concern.:

Be it lrnown that l, ALEXANDER Fisiiiin, a

citizen of the United States, andr resident of" New` York city, in the county of New Yorlr and State of New York, have invented `certain new and useful' Improvements in Electric Vater Heaters, of which the follow- 'ing is a specification.

My present invention relates primarily to' electric water heaters and more particularly to domestic'installations ofthe type comi monly known as instantaneous heaters, in

which the water is automatically heated in its travel upon merely opening a faucet or other outlet theref r. ln the preit-irred application, the invention is concerned 'with a heater installation automatically actuated upon the opening ofy any of the faucets in the hot water line.

It is an object of vide` a heater installation of simple, relatively inexpensive and compact construction, involving few parts, unlikely to become out of order and which shall be entirely automatic in its action.

Anotherobject of the invention iste provide apparatus of the above vtype which can be ea'sily and quickly installed, which shall not involve the modification or scrapping of any of the parts of the standard water supply installation indomestic dwellings, and which shall consume power without waste and onlywhile water is being delivered.

ficcording yto a` preferred feature of the invention, my installation includes a hydraulic member automatically actuated. upon release of the back pressure following the opening of a faucet, to automatically effect, clmlsure of a control switch that is preferably completelyenclosed against entry of dust or while using a hydraulic switch lcontrol ele ment of small, light and inexpensive construction, an electromagnetic system is preferabl v employed, ythe small hydraul ie switch actuating simple circuit closer, serving-as a relay for controlling the circuit of an electromagnetic power switch of any appropriate design. l

In the preferred embodiment of the inn the invention to pro-` vention, the hydraulically operated member has a piston 4normally urged to closed position by a weight or the equivalent, the piston slidably in a cylinder, the latter preferably in ya valve delivery casing supplied through ports in the cylinder when'the piston is 'in switch `closing position, thereby vavoiding leakage diiiiculties. In the preferred specific embodiment, the piston is connected by a link to a rock` shaft projecting from the deliveryv casing, `the relay switch being mounted in said rock shaft.

i Preferably a communicator `conduit ex-k tends substantially the length of the enclos`` ing casing from the outlet of the heat proA ducing element, and the expansion of said conduit when heated by the `water `flowing therethrough is utilized as a thermostat for interrupting the relay to disconnect `the source of current whenever the temperature to which the water is raised becomes excessive. i

It is another object of the invention to provide an electric heater element which shall be of simple, inexpensive and compact construction, and which` shall be susceptible of ready assembly.

ln the preferred embodiment of heater,

there is provided a cup member and a core member snugly fitting therein, the Core member having preferably a helical groove in itsy convex surface for lodging a heating wire of cross-section smaller thanfthe groove, the plug extending into the socket member with a snug` lit, thereby closing the helical groove to form a conduit throubh which the e, 7 t3 `water is `preferablyY passed in direct con# tact withtl'ie heating coil.-

4In the accompanying drawings in which is shown ouexofi various4 possible embodiments ofthe several features of this inforeign matter and disposed out of the path Aof the water new, said. control switch governingthe circuit to the heater element.

ln order to eitlect a quick action particu-Y larly in the openingofthe ,electric` circuits vention,

' l is a view in vlongitudinal cross- The box includes preferably a base 1 with integral upstanding end-walls 2 each having an inwardly extendingflange B and a separate cover 4l iiiorrned integral with side wall panels 5, the flanges il serving to trarne said panels. rlhe installation is connected in the water main, the water entering the installation through pipe 6 connected by union T at one end ot the casing to in let pipe G. The water is delivered 'from the heat producing unit by means to be described below to any of the faucets S in the line, 'through an outlet union 9 at the opposite end of the casing, threaded. into a bracket 10 within the casing.

lllthin the casing` and preferably near one end thereof is a casting 11 havingv legs 12 as at 13 bolted to the bottom or' the casing, the heat producing unit H being` disposed 'upon a supporting platform 111C constituting an integral part ol" said casting, provided with an intake passage 15 and a curved delivery duct 16. The delivery duct 16 is connected tor commimication with the outlet pipe 9, preferably by means oit a communicator conduit, a brass pipe 17 preterably extelnling` substantially the length ot the easing, threaded at one end 18 into the casting; 1l as at 19 and at the other as at 2O into bracket 10.

The end 91 oit the intake duet is tapped to acconnnodate the threaded end 22 of a nipple 23 integral with a closed valve delivery casing' Le, preferably supported there from. The inner end of intake pipe 6 is threaded at 25 into a corresponding tapped openino' 26 within a `valve cylinder meinl'ier Qi] threaded as at E28 into the side of the valve delivery casing` 2li. Slidable within the cylinder' member is a cylindrical piston member E29 having`| relief ports Il() in its head 31 and having a flange 32 to limit the entry thereol in to the piston. The piston controls ports 33 in, the side o'. the cylindi-u which are opened when the saine is witlnlrawn to the position shown in Fig. l. ll'he relay switch is mounted at the exterior o'lt the Valve delivery casing and comprises a pair ol. stationary aw contacts let and a movable switch contact 35 to close circuit Vwhen passed betweenthe jaws, said contact being insulated at 3G 'l'roin a supporting arm 3?. The supporting arm is pre'tfrably mounted on a squared portion ot a rock shaft BS projectingl fr in the side oit the Valve delivery casiiig and encircled by packing 39 to pre vent leakage ot water. The rock sha'lt 38 is operated from a link men'iber l() within the valve delivery casing, connected at one end as at #l1 to the squared portion of the rock shaft, and havingl an elongated slot 4t2 at its lower end encircling a cross-pin 1TB in an eye et formed rigid with the end oit the piston. ,.re'lr-nably the switch supportino` arm 3T is termed with a tail exl'exuliiriD)` rearward for asul'istantial. distance and sup porting a weight il-(3, adj ustably secured by a set screw et? at any point along' the length olf said arm. lt will be seen that normally the weight will urge the rout: shalt about .its pivot and maintain the piston 2t) in port closing7 and relay switch 35 in circuit open,- ing position, while it the back pressure is released by openingv a faucet the excess pres sure from the mains will urge the piston vto port openin position and hrough the link 10.y rock shaft 38 and s tch arm Si', the relay switch to circuit closing position. lireierably a plug` P is provided at the Vupper end oi? the valve deliveryT casing` to permit installation ot 'the piston and link Ll0 therein, to afford access thereto, when4 erer required.

ln the preferred embodimentj the electiomagnetie switch 11:8 is attached to one olf the side walls of the cz'xsing cover, nelferably near the end tl'iereot opposite that at which the heat producingl element el; is located. The electroinagrnetic switth is ol any conventional construction including the main contacts lill, lniiujing switch arnis 5l) and an actuating or holdingh electronlapgnetic coil 51 connected in series with the relay switch across the mains -iand I pri'zlfer to provide a 'thermostat to interrupt the circuit when the tenuyerature ol the water is close to the boiling' point about 200 degrees l?. T he tl'iernmstat sw i, includes fixed springy clip contacts 51 mounted upon an insulating support 52 preferably ou the bracket 10, and a coactii D movable switch contact 53 on an insulating; siuqport blade piyoted as at upon a standard 56 also on the base lug` of the bracket. The thern'iostat switch is normally closed and as best seen in Fig'. Ll, will pass '.lrom between the clip. contacts 51 to open the cir cuit by a. downward impulse. Asi shown in the circuit diagram7 the thermostat switch Contact is in series Vwith the relay switr-h contart and only when both the relay and the thermostat are in closed circuit position is the electioniaynetic switch (meratert 'the control means lor the thermostat switch in clndcs an arm 57 haring' an integral upwardly extendiiur .tinpjcr 58 pivoted near .its end as at (S27 tothe end ot a bracket (33 preierably cast integral with casting 1l. A cross-rod or tube 60 is supported at one end by the bracket 10 and adjustably secured thereat by nuts 61, the other end oit said rod havino' a pin 59 eXtending,` transversely through linger 59 near the extreme end thereof. The free end ol" the thermostat control arm 57 extends adjacent `therrnostatswitch pi'vot and secured to a coil spring` (Self, the end Go of which is attached to arm 5st and insulated therefn'nn. ln the prc'lerred embodiment, the ,length ol the thernaistat control arni is made adjustable l l t) to permit operation,i at any,desredk temperature. For this purpose, "the thermostat control rodV is preferablyformed of a bar 66 rectangular in cross-section having a tran-sverse rod 67 tor accommodating an operating nut 68 extending therethrough and projecting beyond the wider faces thereof. A threaded pin 69 extends into a corresponding passage 70 in the bar and is threaded into the tapped opening of the nut. It Will be apparent that the length of the arm can be adjusted by simply` turning the` nut- 68 in one or the other direction, causing the threaded pin 69 to feed inward for shortening or outward for lengthening the control bar. i

` The preferred form otheater unit comprises an insulating cup-shaped socket mem` ber 71 which maybe of porcelain having preferably a frusto-eonical interior into which is fitted a corresponding 'frusto-conical plug member 72 in .which the heating coil and Water passage respectively are mounted and formed. Preferably, the plug has a helical groove, 73 extending about its convex surface and the electrical heating coil 74t`extends in said groove, the heating coil being, however, of a cross-section mate.--

rially smaller than the cross-section oil the groove. The plug preferably has an yaxial Water passage 75 communicating at its upper end with the helical groove 7 3, the lower end of the helical groove being arranged tol communicate with the, outlet conduit 7 (i. Preferably, a paper or equivalent gasket 7 6 is interposed between the plug and the socket member, the plug lit-ting snugly Within the socket, `so that the Wall of the latter Will serve to bridge or cover the helical groove, thereby forming a watertight helical pasthrough which the Water to be heated is conveyed. Acover plate 77 is secured by means ot tie rods 78 extending longitudinally of the cup member to firmly retain the plug` Within the latter and to clamp the rim 79 of the gasket against the open end of the socket, the said coverplate having a central opening 80 tor communication oi the Water from the curved conduit 15 to the axial Water passage 75. A metallic protective cap 8l is preferably passed over the socket member and has an outstandingllange 82 at its open end superposed over the plate member 77 and secured thereto by the bolts 83. The terminals 85 ot the electromagnet svvitch are joined by electrical connectors 86 to theA binding posts 87 for the heater unit Which are disposed at the bottom ot plate 14k. The binding posts are connected to the ends of the heating coil by means ot conducting rods 88 extending longitudinally through the plate, the cover and the length ot the insulating plug, said rods being retained by nuts 89 located in recesses 90 at the upper end of the insulating socket.

.Thenuts 91 and 92 on the ends of the tie rods 78 are disposed in recesses 93 and `94 formed in the socket member 7l and base member 77 respectively, so that the upper surface ot the `socket member 77 and the lower` surface of the cover member 77 may `be brought into rm surface" engagement with the metallic cup 8 1 and the plate member 14 respectively. t

lt Willbe seen that the Circuit of the Waterl through the heater, is trom conduit 7 5 through fthe helical passage 74 and out throughthe conduit 17 on its Way to the outlet. .The Water thus flows directly through the helicalpassage in which the heating coilu lVhero the heating coils are threaded back and 'forth through a plurality of longitudinal passages in an .insulating support inem` ber, it will be seen that .the assembly is more ditlicut than in our present construction and it Will further be seen that the need 'lorforming the successive bends at the connect,

ing portions ot the Wire is likely t-o result in breaking of they coil in the course ot Yassembly or in weakening the coil `at some one or more points at which the coil may fuseI when put into use. Moreover, the continuous helically curved path for the Water offers relatively small resistance to the ilow as compared rto constructions involving a `Water path having abrupt bends.

Heater units involving a plurality ot jux. taposed insulating sections with separating gaskets between the sections Aare sometimes subject tok leakage ot water and it this ditli culty is remedied `by enclosure :in a water tight metallic casing, the danger ol an electrical ground .arises from contact with said casing, oit Wat-er in the heater. ln my construction, in which the coil enclosing clement involves but tivo cooperating casing elements with a singleinterposed `gasket clamped or Wedge-d tightly in place, leakage oit `Water avoided, as Well as the danger oi" an `electrical ground through the metallic casing, the latter, as aboife suggested,` serving mainly to protect the insulating material from breakage.

The apparatus is preferably installed .in the basement oit the dwelling. l? or this purpose, the Water main is out and the interrupted ends are simply connected one to the union 7 and the other to the union 9 and the electrical mains are connected to the conduetors, marked and h'othing luither is required to complete the installation,

Cit'

which can thus be performed expeditiously and at relatively small expense. The pipes and faucets in the house need in no way be n'ioditied. 1t will, of course, be understood tha the system has its main and preferred application to houses provided with both hot and cold water pipe lines.

The operation proceeds as follows: Nhen any one of the faucets S on the line is opened, the back pressure upon the piston 29 is removed and the forward pressure in the mains urges said piston to t-he outward position shown in Fig. 1, opening the ports and allowing the water to pass on into the valve delivery casing 2li, and through the nipple 23 into the heater intake passage 15 through the central port of the heater passage, around the spiral path provided in the heater, through the outlet passa-ge 16 in the heater support-ing base and thence through the communicator pipe 17 extending the length of the casing to outlet pipe 9' on its way to the faucet.

The piston in its movement to the position shown in Fig. 1 has rotated the rock shalt o8, through link a() in counter-clockwise di rection, against the force of the weight 4G, thereby closing the relay switch r1`hus, a circuit will be established from the mains through the relay switch and the thermostat switch 53 in series, to the operating coil 51 of the electromagnetic switch. The latter is, therefore, urged to closed position and current is fed to the heating wire within the heat producing element, thereby heating the water passing therethrough on its way to the faucet.

When the water is heated beyond the temperature for which the thermostat is set, the thermal expansion of the communicator conduit 17 through which the hot water passes caused its left end and with it the bracket 63 to move to the left to an extent suliicient to open the thermostat switch. Specilically, linger 58 is moved by bracket (33 about pivot 59 as an axis, in a clockwise direction, causing the free end to more downwardly sufficiently to pass the end 5G and with it the end of spring 6ft from its position above the pivot pin to a position therebelow, thus effecting a two-way spring action to snap the switch arm downward to the open-circuit position, apparent from Figs. 1 and 4. The relay circuit for the electromagnetic switch being now interrupted, the latter opens the heating circuit and the flow of water continues along the course previously described through the heat producing unit with the coils thereof unenergized.

lWhen the temperature of the water has dropped to a suiiicient extent, the contraction of the communicator conduit 17 draws the braclret arm 63 back toward the initial position, thereby raising the thermostat switch actuating' arm 57 and snapping the thermostat switch? arm back to the circuit closing position shown in lfigs. l and -l-, thereby again closing the relay circuit for the electroniiagnetic switch and thus again closing the main power circuit to the heat produeii'ig uni 1V hen the :faucet is again closed, the back pressure between the 'lauert and valve S20 builds up to equal, the pressure in the water main, so that the piston is substa'iiitially in equilibrium except for the force of weight 16, which rapidly urges it to closed position, thereby openintf; the relay sr-.f'itch 3o and, therefore, interrupting the main heater circuit.

rlfhus, the instant the faucet is opened, the electromagnetic switch is closed to sct the heating coil into operation, and soon as the faucet is closefl, the electromagnetic switch opens, so that there is no waste wl'iatH soever, the heater being energized onlyrwhile the water is flowing. lt will be sa that the heater is economical since the coils are compli-itely innnersed in the Vwater and substantially all of 'the heat loenei-ated in the coil absorbed by the flou ing \,v:\.tcr.

Obviously water can ifiass through ports il() and around piston 29 where there is but a small flow and small pressure dill' irea'itial, as in the case of a leaking 3, the small volume flow occurrii'ig without substantial movement, of the piston, and without closing the switch. so that no loss of power or overheating will occur.

'.ihe thermos-itat will function as hereto fore set forth to automatically interrupt the circuit, if the desired tenniierature exceeded. Preferably, the heater unit is of such size as to generate heat at a rate suiiicient to aise the water to the desired temperature of 1GO degrees F. when delivered at the maximum rate ordinarily encountered in pramtice` lTheori-itically, the maximum rate occurs when all of the faucets ou a hot water line are open to their full extei'it. .lu au ordinaryr onct'ainily dwelling. no more than two het water fal'icets would ordinarily be open to their full extent at the saine time and, there fore, the heater unit would, in pr; itice. be made to generate heat at a rate sullicieut to deliver hot water from the two fullyopened faucets. il/'ith such arrangement and in the absence of a thermostat. heat would be generated too rapidly if only one faucet were turned on. lowever, the thermostat will funct-ioii to open and close the circuit alternately, so that curreiit would be consumed only for such fraction of the time while the faucet is open as is required to heat the llowii'ig uf'ater to the desired temperature and no higher,

Obviously, the heater unit .may be made of smaller size su'ihcient merely to deliver water at the desired temperature from one iaucet at a time. In suoli case, `of course, 'if

`two or more faucets were fully `open at the same time, the water would have a lower' tempera-ture than itt only one were opened. On the other hand, it one faucet 'is opened only part-way, the thermostat will alternately open and close, as set Yforth above, to use current at only suoli rate as is required to heat the lesser quantity ot water llowing atany instant to the Adesired temperatureand no hotter.

The switch actuating pistonbeing normally held closed merely byweight 46, the hydraulic pressures on opposite sides thereolf being in equilibrium, it follows that only a small pressure ditferential is required to more the piston, so that the apparatus will operate on low pressure as well as on high pressure water lines. `Obviously,`by appropriate setting of weight 46, the pressure within limits'may be as small as desired.

The valve delivery casing 24 completely encloses the pist-on 29 at all times, so that packing to prevent leakage between the cylinder and the pistonV is 'not recuiired.` The only movable part projecting through'the valve delivery casing is roclishaft 38. This element, however, rotates through only a small angle when a :faucet is opened and returns when it is closed, and does not move while the faucet is open, whether thel thermostat is closed or open. The packing 39 of the rook shaft is, therefore, not subjected to noticeable wear and will have a long lile.

lt will be understood that the arrangement of causing the expansion oil a portion oi the water conduit Yitscll' `to serve as the thermostat actuating means is broadly applicable to apyjiaratus embodying lit-Eating` elements ol" constructions and lor purposes other `than that exeinplilied above.

I claim: i

l. A water heating unit comprising ahydraulically operated member directly'subjected to the pressure ol? the water in a main pipe, an electricl heat--preducing member in the path ot' water vflow, an electric switch member :tor controlling` the circuit to said heat-pioilucing member, and a mechanical connection between said hydraulically operated member and said switch to cause the latter to be closed automatically upon displacement of the former, a single casing enclosing all of said elements, hydraulic connecting` elements through said casing for establishing connection between the water mains and the heater unit, and electric connections extending through the casing for establishing circuitk between the electric mains and the heater, whereby said unit may be installed atany point between the mains and the outlets to heat water for delivery at any of said outlets, the opening of any out- Ylet effecting the flow of water'for actuating hydraulically operated lmember in said conduit, an 'electric heat producing` element in proximity to a part ol said conduit, a circuit closer "in said casing and outfot the path of liquid flow, said circuit closer being connected for operation by said' hydraulic member when the outlet is 'open and an' electromagnetic switch in said casing, said switch being controlled by said circuit closer for connecting said hea-t producing element to 'a source of electric current.

3. A water heating unit comprising in combination, acasing, a 'water conduit extending therethrough and adapted for connection between a source 'of water supply and a water outlet, an electricli'eat producing element inproXiinity to a part of said conduit, a hydraulically operated 'member in said` conduit, a circuit closer in said casing and out of the path of 'water How, said circuit clo'ser being connected i'or operation by said hydraulic member when the outlet is open and an electromagnetic switch in said casing, 'said switch being controlled by said circuit closer for connecting said heat producing element toa source 'of electric current.

4. A water heating device comprising in v combination, a casing, an electric heater unit therein, a conduit for vconveying` water to `said heater 'unit,'a conduit `tor conveying heated water from said 'heater unit, a hydraulically operatedpiston member in one lof said conduits, an elect-ric circuit closer out of the path or' water flow, a connection between said piston member `and `said circuit closer to operate the latter from the former, said connection including` 'a rock shat't through said conduit and an 'electromagnetic switch in said casing, said switch being' Vcontrolled by said circuit `closer `lfor connecting said heater unitlto a source of current. y

5.111 anelectric water heater, in combination, a casing, an electric heating' unit therein, a hydraulically operated circuit closer therein, a water conduit connecting said latter elements, an electromagnetic switch in said casing and connected to be operated by said circuit closer upon actuation thereof by opening of a water outlet l and a thermostat switch out of the path of -water flow connected for operation by the expansion of said conduit resulting from the heat of the water flowing therein to interrupt the circuit when a predetermined temperature isreached.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 in which the thermostat comprises a contact CSi CSD

controlling lever connected at one part to said conduit. whereby the expansion oi said conduit relative to said lined part will cause movement ol? said lever about its tnlcrnm to interrupt the circuit.

7. in an electric water heater with an automatic thermostat control, including@` a thermostat switch element ont ol the path water flow, a control means therefor extending,- lengthwise of the casing, a pivotal mount therefor, expansive element subject to the temperature of the heated water for moving said control element about its pivot, a coil spring extendingv leno'thwise of the switch arm and connected. to the free cnn or said control arm, whereby v-fhen the 'water reaches a predetermined temperature, said control arm will be shifted suiiieiently to cause the spring` to snap the switch to open position.

8. In an. electric water heater, in eombination, a casing, a thermostat control member therein comprising a switch member out of the path et water flow pivoted near one end of the casing, a control arm therefor e;\;- tending substantially the length ol said casing and having` an upstandingfinger, lixef pivotal supportmeans for the 'tree end of said finger, a thermal expansive member rcspending1 to the temperature oit the water heated by the heater, a connection between Said thermal. expansive member and said linger adjacent said pivot, the tree end oi said thermostat control member extending; adja cent said switch arm, and a spring;` extending; lengthwise o'lf said switch arm connected thereto at one end and to the tree end ot said control member at the other end.

9. In an electric water heater, in combination, a casing, a casting at one end thereof, a heater supported on said casting. a bracket near the other end thereof, a delivery port through said casting, a communicatingl pipe connected between said 'casting and said bracket for deliveringthe heated water to the outlet, a piroted thermo stat switch mounted on the base ot said bracket, a horizontally entendinp; support rod secured to said bracket, extending substantially the length ot said casing, a thermostat control member having an upstanding;v linger pivotally connected to said support rod, a coil Spring` lengthwise ol' said switch member, secured thereto at one end and at the other end to the tree end oi said control member, and a bracket member movable with said communicatinzg` pipe. in the expansion thereof and pivotally connected to said control member adjacent said pivot, whereby when the temperature oil? the water in the communicatingv pipe rises to a predetermined degree, the bracket will shitt said thermostat control bar about its pivot, ransing its tree end to move downward to shift the spring 'from one side ot the tlairmostat switch pivot to the other side thereoi", thereby snapping the thermostat switch to open circuit position.

l0. A water heating device crnnprising' in combination, a valve delivery casing, a cylinder therein extending' transversely of said casing', a piston movable in said cylinder. a rock sha-tt extending through said valve de livery casing, means coimectingl said piston to said rock shaft, whereby the reciprocation of the former will eil'ect a rotary mot-ion et the latter, and an electric switch connected to said rock shaft.

1l. ln an electric water heater. in combination, a heatingl unit, a conduit for delivering heated water therefrom, and a ther-nilostat circuit-control switch connected to said conduit to be actuated by the exjjiansion oil said conduit resulting from heatingthe water above a predetermined temperatlu'e.

lil). ln an electric water heater, in combination, a heating unit, a conduit Ylor deli rering heated water therefrom, said conduit being lixed near one end, and a thermostat circnitecontrol switch out oil the path ot water tlow and provided with. actuating` means therefor connected to said conduit near the end opposite said :lined end to be operated by the movement of said end away troia. said lixed end by the expansion oi' the conduit resulting1 from the How therethrough ot water above a predetermined. temperxdure.

Signed at New York, in the county ot New York and State o;t` New York, this 21st day of March, A. D. 1922.

ALEXANDER FISHER 

